23:1 | When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, |
23:2 | and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. |
23:3 | Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. |
23:4 | Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. |
23:5 | Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. |
23:6 | Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; |
23:7 | for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. |
23:8 | You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments. |
23:9 | Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. |
23:10 | Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, |
23:11 | for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you. |
23:12 | Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. |
23:13 | Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. |
23:14 | Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. |
23:15 | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; |
23:16 | my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. |
23:17 | Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. |
23:18 | There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. |
23:19 | Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. |
23:20 | Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, |
23:21 | for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. |
23:22 | Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. |
23:23 | Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. |
23:24 | The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. |
23:25 | May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice! |
23:26 | My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, |
23:27 | for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. |
23:28 | Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men. |
23:29 | Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? |
23:30 | Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. |
23:31 | Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! |
23:32 | In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. |
23:33 | Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. |
23:34 | You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. |
23:35 | "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?" |
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